- Tomb Raider Definitive Survivor Trilogy bundles all three reboot games plus 20+ DLC packs in one 2021 collection.
- Play in release order: Tomb Raider, Rise, then Shadow, for the smoothest story and gameplay curve.
- Main stories take roughly 12-16 hours each; full completion across the trilogy takes far longer.
- No traditional cheat codes exist — all extras unlock through progression, New Game Plus, and DLC.
- Best value: buy the bundle rather than individual Definitive Editions if you missed any game.
What Is the Tomb Raider Definitive Survivor Trilogy?
The Tomb Raider Definitive Survivor Trilogy collects Lara Croft's complete origin story in one package, released in 2021 for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. It includes Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition, Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition, each with its full slate of downloadable content included. If you never played the reboot trilogy, or only played one entry, this is the most convenient way to experience the whole arc — from the shipwreck on Yamatai to the Mayan apocalypse in Peru.
| Game | Setting | Story Role | Edition Extras |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition | Yamatai Island | Lara's origin as a survivor | Extra outfits, weapons, Tomb of the Lost Adventurer |
| Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration | Siberia and Kitezh | Lara becomes a determined relic hunter | Blood Ties, Lara's Nightmare, Baba Yaga, Endurance mode |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition | Peru and Paititi | Lara faces the consequences of her actions | Full season of challenge tombs, missions, outfits, weapons |
Verify bundle contents on the official PlayStation, Xbox, or Steam pages before purchasing — included DLC can vary by platform and regional store.
Before You Buy: Step-by-Step Decision Guide
Follow these steps to decide whether the trilogy deserves a spot in your library.
Check What You Already Own
If you own even one Definitive Edition already, compare bundle pricing against buying the missing entries separately. The trilogy is aimed primarily at newcomers and returning lapsed players.
Pick Your Platform
The bundle is available on PlayStation, Xbox (One and Series X|S), and Steam. All three platforms carry the full Definitive Edition content, but store pricing and sales differ.
Set Expectations on Playtime
Each main story runs roughly 12-16 hours, so budget 40+ hours for the campaigns alone, and considerably more for tombs, collectibles, and side missions.
Choose a Starting Difficulty
Start on the intended-balance difficulty of each game, then raise it in later playthroughs once stealth, crafting, and traversal feel natural.
Commit to Release Order
Play Tomb Raider, then Rise, then Shadow. Each game assumes familiarity with tools introduced earlier, and the story builds directly on Lara's growth.
The trilogy has no traditional cheat-code system. Any guide promising "all weapons unlocked" codes is misleading — bonus outfits, weapons, and modes come from progression, New Game Plus, and included DLC only.
Gameplay Comparison: What Each Game Does Best
Each entry in the Tomb Raider Definitive Survivor Trilogy emphasizes different strengths, and knowing them helps you decide whether the full arc suits your taste.
Tomb Raider (2013)
- Linear cinematic survival
- Bow-focused stealth combat
- Introduces camps, skills, challenge tombs
- Tightest story pacing of the three
Rise of the Tomb Raider
- Larger semi-open hubs
- Expanded crafting and hunting
- Baba Yaga and Blood Ties expansions
- Endurance and Score Attack replay modes
Shadow of the Tomb Raider
- Strongest stealth systems
- Underwater traversal and verticality
- Hub city with side quests and merchants
- Most complex environmental puzzles
| Feature | Tomb Raider | Rise | Shadow |
|---|---|---|---|
| World structure | Mostly linear | Semi-open hubs | Semi-open with city hub |
| Stealth depth | Moderate | Strong | Strongest (mud, walls, fear arrows) |
| Challenge tombs | Simple mechanisms | Elaborate physics puzzles | Multi-stage environmental puzzles |
| Extra modes | Replay content | Expeditions, Endurance, Score Attack | New Game Plus paths |
| Story length | 12-15 hours | 13-16 hours | 12-15 hours |
Each game uses its own difficulty labels. Tomb Raider tops out at Survivor, Rise adds Extreme Survivor, and Shadow's Deadliest Obsession mode requires manual campfire saving with scarce resources — a setting best reserved for veterans.
Value Checklist: Is the Bundle Worth It?
Run through this checklist before checkout to confirm the trilogy matches what you want.
Before You Buy:
- You want all three reboot games in one purchase
- You value included DLC like Baba Yaga and Blood Ties
- You enjoy cinematic action-adventure with stealth and puzzles
- You have 40+ hours available for the main campaigns
- You prefer earning unlocks over quick-cheat progression
The bundle delivers the most value to players who missed the reboot era entirely. Longtime fans who already own the Definitive Editions should wait for a deep sale or skip it.
FAQ
Q: Does the Tomb Raider Definitive Survivor Trilogy include all DLC?
Yes. The bundle packages each game's Definitive Edition content, including expansions like Baba Yaga: The Temple of the Witch, Blood Ties, Lara's Nightmare, Endurance mode, and Shadow's full season of challenge tombs and story missions — more than 20 DLC items in total.
Q: What order should I play the Tomb Raider Definitive Survivor Trilogy in?
Play in release order: Tomb Raider, then Rise of the Tomb Raider, then Shadow of the Tomb Raider. The story follows Lara's growth continuously, and each game builds on traversal tools and systems introduced in the previous entry.
Q: How long does the full trilogy take to beat?
Each main story takes roughly 12-16 hours, so expect around 40 hours for the three campaigns. Completing challenge tombs, collectibles, side missions, and replay modes can push total playtime far beyond 80 hours.
Q: Are there cheat codes in the Tomb Raider Definitive Survivor Trilogy?
No. There is no universal cheat-code system. Bonus outfits, weapons, and extra modes are earned through story progression, challenge tomb completion, New Game Plus, and included DLC content.